Webinar: Collaborating with the VA and SVA to Support Veterans on Campus

Agenda

OverviewDamian Bramlett Jessica Thiede Matthew FegerVA VITAL Initative VA VITAL Initiative Student Veterans of America

Agenda

1. Understanding Military Culture

2. Veterans Integration to Academic Leadership (VITAL)

3. Student Veterans on Campus (SVA)

4. Q&A

Overview

© 2013 Kognito Interactive. All Rights Reserved.

Panelists

Understanding Military Culture

Presented By:

Damian Bramlett

Created by Damian Bramlett & Celina Dugas

VETERANS HEALTH ADMINISTRATION


Five Service Branches• Army- Founded 1775

• Referred to as Soldiers

• Navy- Founded 1775

• Referred to as Sailors

• Marines- Founded in 1775

• Referred to as Marines

• Coast Guard- Founded in 1790

• Referred to as Guardians

• Air Force- Founded in 1947

• Referred to as Airmen



Rank and Structure• There are three types of rank:

• Enlisted- includes noncommissioned officers and petty officers (pay grades E-1

through E-9) (84% of the military)

• Warrant Officers- highly specialized subject matter experts (pay grades W-1

through W-5) (2% of the military)*

• Commissioned Officers- highest ranks, similar to managers/leaders of any

organization (pay grades O-1 through O-10) (14% of the military)*

• For a visual guide to enlisted rank structure, go to:

http://www.defense.gov/about/insignias/enlisted.aspx

• For officer ranks, go to: http://www.defense.gov/about/insignias/officers.aspx



Job Specialty:• MOS: Military (or Marine) Occupational Specialty

• NEC: Navy Enlisted Classification

• Rate: Coast Guard term for job title

• AFSC: Air Force Specialty Code

• MOS/NEC/Rate/AFSC indicates the type of job, duties or specialty performed

in the military

• For example: In the Army, infantry soldiers (riflemen) have an MOS

designation of 11B (or 11C), but in the Marines an infantryman has an 03

(0311 = rifleman) designation.


Understanding Military Culture• While on Active Duty…

• Service members are considered full-time employees

• During deployments of 4-12 months, Service Members may be required to work

long hours to complete their tasks or mission

• During wartime, Service Members may be separated from family for long periods

due to training cycles and the length of deployment

• While on Reserve/National Guard Duty…

• Service Members are considered part-time employees

o Typically train one weekend a month and two-weeks during annual trainings (AT)

• May be called suddenly for active duty assignments or deployments

o Leave family, job, school and community

• Transition from Active Duty back to part-time status can be difficult due to a

variety of issues such as combat related injuries, lack of a proper support systems,

etc.



Every enlisted Service Member goes through Basic Training or Boot Camp!


In Basic Training…

You are stripped of your individuality, and camaraderie and team work is emphasized…


In Basic Training…

You are trained for combat and to be ready when called upon…



You learn a new language…Military acronyms:

• AWOL - Absent With Out Leave (i.e. not at one's place of duty, and not authorized to be absent)

• BAH - Basic Allowance for Housing (formerly BAQ)

• DFAC - Dining Facility (Mess Hall or Cafeteria)

• DZ – Drop Zone (area where airborne troops and equipment are dropped)

• FOB - Forward Operating Base (used in combat theater)

• G.I. - General Issue (belief by military personnel that they are interchangeable)

• IED - Improvised Explosive Device

• JAG - Judge Advocate General (legal branch of the military)

• KIA - Killed in Action

• MEDEVAC - MEDical EVACuation to an aid station or field hospital, usu. by air ambulance

• MIA - Missing in Action; missing in a battle situation, not known if alive or dead.

• RECON - Reconnaissance

• SOP - Standard Operating Procedure.



The military…• Emphasizes group cohesion & esprit de corps that connect

servicemembers to each other

• Has a distinct set of ceremony and etiquette that create shared rituals and

common identities

• Maintains a high standard of discipline that helps organize and structure

the armed forces

• Emphasizes punctuality

• If you show up early, you’re on time. If you show up on time, you’re

late.

• Establishes a professional ethos of loyalty and selfless-service that

maintains order during battle

• Mission first!

Core Values



Understanding our current wars (2001 – Present)



Common military stressors/experiences• Acculturation into the Armed Forces (Basic Training/Boot

Camp)

• Exposure to combat or life threatening situations

• Loss of a close friend, team member or leader

• Inner conflict / Self-doubt

• Wear and tear

• Operational stress – lack of sleep/rest

• High expectations at all times

• Physically and mentally worn down



Common myths about the military:• People who join have low intelligence or are without opportunities

• Women have a hard time achieving success

• Military jobs and training have little relation with the civilian world

• The military is only for people who like war/fighting

• War = Combat

• Once you go to war, you come home and are done with your military

service

• The military will let anyone in who applies


Transitioning to the Civilian World

Transitioning individuals can often…

• Feel “lost” or “alone” (no one understands them)

• Struggle with not having structure or goals

• Worry about finances or taking care of their family

• Miss the adrenaline rush associated with various military experiences

• Become easily annoyed with civilians who take things less seriously or are too

“laid back”

• May have anger or resentment towards those who did not serve or towards

other military personnel

• Feel on edge or tense

• Feel that everything back home has changed

• Feel down or depressed soon after being separated from service or coming

home from deployment


Understanding Student Veterans



• 43% Enrolled in public 2 year

• 21% Enrolled in 4 year institutions

• 47% of student Veterans have children

• 47% of student Veterans are married

-Steele, J.L., Salcedo, N., & Coley, J. (2010); U.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics (2009)



• FY10-819,281 beneficiaries -365,000 OEF/OIF/OND

• FY11-923,836 beneficiaries -555,329 OEF/OIF/OND

• FY12-$10,081,150,978 spent on education benefits with 77% or

$8,453,319,011 paid through the 9/11-GI Bill

• Pie chart on types of Enrollment by % (FY11)-VBA Annual Report, 2012



The Veteran population:• Veterans nationwide: 22,658,000

• Number receiving some type of GI Bill benefit: 945,052 (FY12)

• Only 15% of student Veterans are traditionally aged college students (18-

23)

• 31.4% are between the ages of 24 and 29

• 28.2% are between the ages of 30 and 39

• 24.9% are 40 or older

• 73% of student Veterans are male; 27% are female

• With only 10-12% of military personnel being women, female student

Veterans are overrepresented in postsecondary education

-Steele, Salcedo & Coley (2010); U.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics (2009); U.S.

Department of Veterans Affairs statistics (2012)



• National survey of 362,000 first-year students and seniors

attending 564 US colleges and universities by NSSE (2010) found

Student Veterans:

• Perceived lower levels of campus support than non-Veterans

• Interacted less with faculty members

• Spent twice as many hours per week working

• Six times as many hours on dependent care

• Often received the least amount of help and support

-National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE), 2010



Myths about Student Veterans:• They’re “crazy” or “ticking time-bombs”

-Ready to snap at any moment

• They’re “baby killers” and “war mongers”

• They all have PTSD or TBI issues

• They have a high drop-out / fail-out rate

• They aren’t as intelligent as other students



The challenges they face…• Service Connected Injuries/Disabilities

• PTSD, TBI and/or MST

• Sleep issues

• Hearing loss/tinnitus

• Back/leg problems

• Transition from military to civilian life/academic environment

• Concerns about personal safety

• Frustrations working with civilian students who don’t seem motivated

• Lack of a strong support network/structure

• Financial issues

• Retirement issues


Health Concerns

• Orthopedic and musculoskeletal

• Mental health issues

• Hearing loss

• Chronic pain at young age

• Pulmonary (upper respiratory illnesses)

• Dermatology

• Gastroenterology

• Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)

OEF Veteran age 25


Women VeteransUnderstanding Women Veterans’ Needs• Women are the fastest growing group within the Veteran population

• Women make up 9% of the total U.S. Veterans population

• Women make up 15% of current Active Duty military and 18% of Reservists

• Tend to experience Military Sexual Trauma (MST) at a greater rate than men

• 1 in 5 women compared to 1 in 100 men*

• Need access to gender-specific care

• Access to gynecological screenings, women doctors and nurses, and women counselors


Student Veteran Strengths

Leadership Characteristics: • Set an example

• Carefully consider directions

• Inspire and influence by:

o providing purpose, direction and

motivation

Collaborative Team Member:

• Complete their duties by accomplishing

tasks as part of a team

Flexibility and Adaptability:

• Learned to be flexible and adaptable to

meet the constantly changing situation and

mission

*21 Strengths Arising from Military Experience; Leadership Traits and Behaviors; The Army Values


Student Veteran Strengths Self-Directed:

• Trained to understand and solve difficult problems

and complex tasks.

• Their ability to function efficiently independent makes

them dependable and reliable

Outstanding Work Habits: • Possess pride and enthusiasm for their work

• Personal integrity by adhering to moral principles.

• Completes their projects and tasks in a timely and

efficient manner

Invested in their Community:

• Strong desire to be productive citizens and serve their

community with selfless sacrifice

*21 Strengths Arising from Military Experience; Leadership Traits and Behaviors; The Army Values


Creating a “Veteran Friendly Campus”Commitment is a two-way relationship• Students who are committed to the institution are more likely to persist, but they are less

likely to do so if they do not perceive that the institution is committed to them (Tinto, 1997)

The college/university campuses physical appearance is an important indicator

• Veterans will notice if campuses have a dedicated area for an American flag

o What size the flag is and if its well maintained

• Veterans will notice if the campus has a dedicated space or area for military observance.

o Is the space large or small

o Well kept /maintained

o Have updated memorabilia or monuments dedicated to military

• Veterans are interested to know if campuses observe military events or holidays


Creating a “Veteran Friendly Campus”

Students who form positive and supportive relationships with faculty are more likely to persist (Tinto, 1997)•Promote a positive learning environment

•Interaction is part of the learning experience

o Student Veterans may be emotionally numb, feel distant, alone, easily agitated,

easily distracted and unable to fully participate, which can be perceive by faculty

and other students in the class as disconnect and lack of interest (Armstrong, Best &

Dominici, 2006; Shiraldi, 2009)

• Creating a sensitive awareness and

emotionally safe atmosphere that fosters

healthy interactions will help faculty and

student Veterans feel comfortable and

overcome some of these barriers



Finances are a variable implicated in student attrition (Tinto, 1975 & 1993)•Colleges and Universities should have a sound working relationship with

Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA)

• Ensure that the student Veteran’s benefits are available to them and problem

solve any issues

•Consider membership into the Yellow Ribbon Program

•Employ Servicemembers &Veterans on campus

• Establish policies that are flexible of Veterans’

employment and medical commitments

• Make available scholarships, especially those

directed towards Veterans, widely accessible



Early Identification and Intervention

•Faculty and staff should know policies and

services to help Student Veterans in crisis

• Implement a Peer-to-Peer mentoring program

•Match new Student Veterans to junior or senior level

Veterans who can advise and assist with navigating the

institution’s system, and help access support services

o Match based on similar military branches, career

goals, degree programs, theater of operation, etc.

• Consider Matching Veteran Alumni to Current

Student Veterans


Building Rapport with Student Veterans

• Share if you have a personal connection to the military

• Validate their military background and show “respect” to build rapport

and trust

• Being punctual

• Directly connecting to needed services

• Giving clear steps for “mission” that needs to be accomplished

• Follow-up after appointments (stay on their radar)

• Need to be direct and concise with “assignments”

• Be clear and up front

• Being mindful of political sensitivities/patriotism•Don’t ask the “wrong” questions*

• Know current Veteran resources available on campus, at the

VA and the community to support Veterans and their family

Veterans Integration to Academic Leadership

(VITAL)

An Initiative to Promote Student Veteran Resilience

Jessica H. Thiede, Psy.D.Cincinnati VA Medical CenterVITAL Program Coordinator

National VITAL Clinical Chair


What is VITAL ?

Veterans Integration to Academic Leadership (VITAL)

•National VHA initiative to bring clinical and supportive services to student

Veterans on college and university campuses to help decrease barriers to

care and to increase academic retention and success

•Veteran-Centric


Program Rationale: Increasing numbers of Veterans on

campus• Post 9/11 GI Bill

— Implementation in 2009, has led to significant increases in education

benefits provided to military members

• Conflicts Ending

— Personnel reductions of military forces result in large numbers of

Veterans seeking to begin or return to higher education

• State of the Economy

— Most jobs require at least some higher education


: Structure of VITAL Initiative Program


36 VITAL Schools: 105+ Campuses Served


VITAL

VITAL Services

Currently 24 VITAL sites around the country serving 105+ campuses

Total Count Average

Campuses served 105 5.53

Signed MOUs 36 1.89

VITAL Staff 49 2.58

VITAL Work Studies 20 1.05


Core Components

Evidence Based Therapy

Consultation

Case Management

Referral for careSpecialty Services

Enrollment into VHA

VBA Benefits

Seamless Access to Services

Increasing Awareness

Best Practices

Program Development

Barriers to Student Veteran Success


Barriers to Care

• Psychological – Help-seeking is not consistent with warrior values & code of masculinity– Specific conditions perpetuate avoidance

• PTSD, SUD, MDD

• Stigma

• Developmental

• Obligations & limited time


Barriers to Academic Success

• Attention and concentration issues may impact learning

– Related to:

• PTSD

• TBI

• Light Sensitivity

• Hearing - Tinnitus

• Chronic pain

• Sleep

– Medical Appointments – negative impact on attendance

• **Classroom accommodations or treatment can help

veterans adapt and overcome these issues

Overcoming Barriers:The VITAL Model


Outreach• Increasing access to VA care

– Outreach on campus and beyond

– Mobile Health Van

– Access to first time appointments at VA

– Link to VA specialty clinics (i.e., Pain Clinic, Neuropsychology, Psychiatry, etc.)

• Campus

– Networking opportunities for student Veterans through social, education &

community service events

– Campus events (e.g., orientation days, career & wellness fairs, etc.)

• Community

– Job Fairs

– Involvement of organizations to support student Veterans (VFW & American

Legion)


Direct Service• Each VITAL site offers distinct services tailored to the unique needs of the

campus served

– Consultation

• Program Development

• Risk Assessment

• Evidence-based therapy offered by 74% of all sites− Individual

− Couples

− Family

− Group

• Case Management− Resource referral/management

− Care coordination


Care Coordination• Coordination with VA Medical Centers

− Primary Care

− Specialty Care

− Case Management

• Utilization of Campus Supports is Positively Correlated with Academic Success

– Student Veterans underutilize campus resources such as:

• Disability Services

• Campus Counseling

• Campus Wellness

• Writing Centers

• Tutoring/learning Centers

• Community Agencies & Organizations to Supplement Care of Veterans


Education & Research • Education on Campus

– Military Culture, Post-Deployment, Classroom Impact, Tools for Supporting

Student Veterans

• Community Education & Awareness

– Developing Community Awareness, Increasing Support & Resources, Making

Connections

• Meaningful investigation and interventions for change:

− Improve tracking of beneficiaries

− Utilization of campus resources

− Early alert systems

− Quality assurance


Summary

• VITAL initiative is a unique program serving student Veterans

on campuses through collaborative care coordination,

research and implementation of best practices.

• As the number of student Veterans returning to school

increases, it is essential that VITAL continues to partner with

dedicated campuses, SVA and the community to support

student Veterans in their transition to academic and civilian

life.

Student Veterans of America(SVA)

Presented by:

Matthew Feger

VISION

SVA envisions a nation where all student

veterans succeed in postsecondary

programs and contribute to civilian society

in meaningful ways.

MISSION

SVA provides military veterans with the

resources, support, and advocacy needed

to succeed in higher education and after

graduation.

OUR MODEL

SVA delivers programs and services to

student veterans via a campus-based peer

support network made up of SVA chapters.

HISTORY

� SVA was founded as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit in

2008 by returning Iraq and Afghanistan

veterans who personally struggled with the

transition from combat to college.

� The grassroots coalition was born from the

military ethos of “leave no one behind,” as

its founders discovered that institutions were

ill-prepared to support these new, nontraditional

students.

� From the original 20 chapters, SVA’s network

has grown to more than 950 institutions of

higher learning in all 50 states and three

countries.

WHAT IS STUDENT VETERANS

OF AMERICA?

4

OUR APPROACH

Strategic Initiative 1: Building Strong ChaptersSVA’s Leadership Institute Series trains chapter leaders on best practices. SVA also funds campus

initiatives through grants to chapters.

Strategic Initiative 2: Launching an Alumni NetworkKeeping alumni veterans engaged with students and activities on their campuses is an important way

to give student veterans professional development opportunities long after graduation.

Strategic Initiative 3: Advocating for Student VeteransAs the premier advocate for student veterans, SVA is uniquely positioned to make clear to the

American public the powerful potential of the Post-9/11 GI Bill.

Strategic Initiative 4: Partnering for Maximum ImpactSVA partners with the best and brightest organizations and people to make sure that student veterans

have access to high-quality services. These include scholarship opportunities, mentorship programs,

and career connections.

Strategic Initiative 5: Track Graduation Rates NationallyThrough a partnership with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and the National Student

Clearinghouse, SVA is researching the national graduation rates of student veterans to identify the most

effective methods of support.

SVA improves the lives of student veterans by investing in five strategic initiatives and a host of programs geared

towards individuals.

5

SUPPORT FOR INDIVIDUAL

STUDENT VETERANS

Central to SVA, of course, are the people themselves. That’s why SVA has created a number of

programs that directly support individual student veterans:

SCHOLARSHIPSSVA will award more than $150,000 in 2013 to empower student veterans to pursue degrees in fields

where employees are in high demand, including science, technology, engineering, and math. Each

scholarship is funded by a generous donation from a corporate sponsor.

RÉSUMÉ WORKSHOPSIn partnership with Google, SVA helps to train student veterans on how to improve their resumes.

Workshop attendees are paired one-on-one with a Google employee for a full resume critique.

MENTORSHIPSEach semester, SVA pairs more than 100 student veterans with corporate

mentors through a partnership with American Corporate Partners.

EMPLOYMENT CONNECTIONSThrough the Student Veteran Success Corps—a coalition of more than 25 elite

companies—SVA connects corporate recruiting teams with hundreds of chapters

nationwide to increase veterans’ access to high-quality career opportunities.

1 STUDENT VETERANIn partnership with the VFW, the 1 Student Veteran program connects veterans who are having

issues receiving VA educational benefits directly with VFW service officers to address the problems.

6

STEP 1: TRAIN CHAPTER LEADERS

The Leadership Institute Series offers national and

regional sessions at which student veterans learn how

to run their chapters like small businesses. A three-

day seminar—the Institute—takes place once a year,

and one-day Summits are held throughout the year.

STEP 2: CREATE BUSINESS PLANS

Those who attend the Institute Series return to

campus with the skills to create business plans for

their chapters. SVA provides follow-up support to

ensure that those plans are action-oriented.

STEP 3: FUND CAMPUS PROGRAMS

SVA chapter grants fund initiatives proposed in each

chapter’s business plan.—Jim Yauger,

Seton Hill student veteran

Truly the best leadership

development workshop I’ve

ever attended.

“ “

2013 OUTCOMES

100 chapters trained

40,000 student veterans

impacted

$35,000 in grants awarded

SVA improves lives via an on-campus peer support system centered on the SVA chapter. Each chapter is run by

and for student veterans. These social entrepreneurs who start and run the chapters are changing the landscape of

higher education, turning campuses into centers where military veterans can thrive alongside traditional students.

To ensure that the leaders are well-trained to run a chapter, SVA operates the Leadership Institute Series and

provides chapter grants:

STRATEGIC INITIATIVE 1:

BUILDING STRONG CHAPTERS

7

NAME: Kiersten Downs

BRANCH: United States Air Force, NY Air National Guard

SCHOOL: University of South Florida, class of 2013

DATES OF SERVICE : 2001 - 2008

EMPLOYMENT: doctoral student, University of South Florida,

Graduate Program in Applied Anthropology

SVA MEMBER PROFILE

As an undergraduate student, Kiersten Downs was surrounded by 18-year olds

who had no military service and professors who promulgated negative military

stereotypes. She felt isolated, but persevered and graduated.

When she enrolled as a doctoral student at the University of South Florida (USF),

she refused to relive her undergraduate experience. She became the president of

the SVA chapter at USF and immediately applied to take part in the 2012 Leadership

Institute. As she says, “I learned how to best run my group and how to put our ideas

into action. We owe our success to SVA.”

In the summer of 2013, Kiersten undertook a grueling bike ride across the country

from San Francisco to Washington, DC to raise awareness and funds for Student

Veterans of America chapters. For her leadership and efforts on behalf of her fellow

student veterans, she was selected as SVA’s 2013 Student Veteran of the Year.

Support student veterans like Kiersten today!

2008 2009 2010 201

1

2012 2013

100

200

300

400

500

600

700

800

900

950

SVA Chapter Growth

20 13

5

250

550

725

950

8


LAUNCHING AN ALUMNI NETWORK

SVA’s goal is to see student veterans graduate—but our support does not end there. SVA also

has a goal to create and sustain a thriving alumni network, a support system central to the long-

term success of student veterans.

The SVA alumni network, built on four pillars, will facilitate real connections and opportunities for

student veterans. The four pillars that empower veterans to follow successful career paths are:

� Access to jobs

� Networking and connections

� Professional development opportunities

� Public engagement

The alumni network will be open to any veteran, regardless of SVA affiliation, who has earned a

postsecondary degree or credential. The network will be organized around an online hub open

exclusively to student veterans and alumni to work with one another to grow professionally and

build lifelong relationships of support.

10


ADVOCATING FOR STUDENT VETERANS

As the nation’s largest coalition of student veterans, SVA is widely recognized as the authoritative voice

on the student veteran experience. This expertise has enabled SVA to build coalitions and drive policy that

empowers veterans to succeed academically. Advocating for and improving the Post-9/11 GI Bill is SVA’s

primary concern, so that present and future generations of veterans can afford a college education.

SVA is also focused on alleviating the VA claims backlog, improving access to consumer education tools for

student veterans, and establishing in-state-residency status for all Post-9/11 GI Bill beneficiaries.

In addition to seeking to educate others about federal policy, SVA trains chapters to become on-campus

advocates. Each chapter is a catalyst for positive change and many have achieved great success. The

University of Arizona chapter, for example, created a veterans center on campus, implemented a veteran-

specific orientation program, and established priority registration for all veterans.

—Secretary Eric K. Shinseki,

Department of Veterans Affairs

SVA has quickly established itself as the

premier advocate for veterans seeking better

jobs and better futures through education.

“ “

12


PARTNERING FOR MAXIMUM IMPACT

SVA’s greatest strength is the breadth of its network. Chapters yearn for high-quality information and

connections. SVA ensures that they are linked to the best service-providers across various categories.

Specifically, SVA works with the following nonprofits, Veterans Service Organizations, and corporate

partners to provide veterans with mentors, job opportunities, resume workshops, scholarships, mental

health resources, and a host of holistic programs:

SERVICE ORGANIZATIONS FOUNDATIONS CORPORATIONS AND EMPLOYERS

� Purdue University’s Military Family

Research Institute� The Kresge Foundation � Accenture � Meijer

� University of Michigan Health System � Lumina Foundation � AT&T � Microsoft

� The American Legion � Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation � Bank of America � Morgan Stanley

� Veterans of Foreign Wars � The Bob Woodruff Foundation � Cisco � PNC Bank

� Got Your 6 � The Home Depot Foundation � Citi � Prudential

� The Pat Tillman Foundation � Newman’s Own Foundation � Edward Jones � Raytheon

� Operation College Promise� Charles & Helen Schwab

Foundation� General Dynamics � Rockwell Collins

� Kognito Interactive � HSC Foundation � GMAC � TEKsystems

� American Corporate Partners � Google � Travelers

� National Coalition for College

Completion� JPMorgan Chase � Walmart

13

SVA MEMBER PROFILE

Mathew Ryden was pursuing his master’s degree in computer science

when he won the 2012 SVA-Google computer science scholarship

of $10,000. He was later invited to compete in the first-ever Google

Code Jam for Veterans—an online competition meant to challenge

even the most experienced computer programmers.

“Mathew finished the three challenges in a fraction of the allotted

time,” said Harry Wingo, veterans community programs manager at

Google. “I told everyone that we should hire him immediately.”

In June 2013, Mathew started work at Google as a computer engineer.

Support student veterans like Mathew today!

NAME: Mathew Ryden

BRANCH: U.S. Navy

SCHOOL: University of Minnesota – Twin Cities, class of 2013

EMPLOYMENT: computer engineer, Google

14

PROBLEMATIC DEARTH OF DATA

SVA’S INNOVATIVE SOLUTION

EXTENSIVE IMPACT FOR VETS

SVA forged a three-prong partnership to collect the

graduation rates of 1 million Post-9/11 student veterans.

Working with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

and the National Student Clearinghouse, SVA is driving

the effort to gather these education statistics for the first

time since the 1940s. The research will also show time to

completion, majors pursued, and demographic data.

More than $32 billion has been invested in the Post-9/11 GI

Bill. However, no organization—public or private—has data

on the academic outcomes of student veterans. Worse,

flawed information has been cited numerous times as

evidence of a high dropout rate for student veterans.

A lack of data puts the Post-9/11 GI Bill at risk of being

considered ineffective, or—worse for everyone—cut.

Analysis of the data will be a game-changer for veterans in

higher education. These facts will empower policymakers to

legislate more effectively, and the findings will allow service

providers and the philanthropic community to make data-

driven decisions and invest in programs that are linked to

improved degree attainment. In the end, more student

veterans will graduate from college due to this project.

STRATEGIC INITIATIVE 5: TRACKING

GRADUATION RATES NATIONALLY

Q&A

For information about Veterans on Campus please e-mail:

• Damian BramlettVA VITAL Initiative

[email protected]

• Jessica Thiede

Psy.D – Program Coordinator, VA VITAL

Initiative

[email protected]

• Matthew Feger

VP of Development & Strategic Growth,

Student Veterans of America

[email protected]

• Lisa Tannenbaum

Kognito

Chief Marketing Officer

[email protected]

© 2013 Kognito Interactive. All Rights Reserved.

Q&A

For information about Veterans on Campus email [email protected]


References

• Cincinnati VA Medical Center Homepagehttp://www.cincinnati.va.gov/index.asp

• Radfurd & Wun, 2009; Cate, C.A. (2014). Million Records Project: Research from Student Veterans of America. Student Veterans of American: Washington, D.C.

• Veterans Benefits Administration http://benefits.va.gov/benefits/http://www.vba.va.gov/REPORTS/

• VA Office of Public Healthhttp://www.publichealth.va.gov/doc/epidemology

• United States Department of Veterans Affairshttp://www.va.gov

• United States Department of Education

http://www.ed.gov/veterans-and-military-families/8-keys-success-sites


Resources


VA Resources

VA Campus Toolkit

• Online tool that provides resources and information to faculty, staff,

and administration on campus to help Student Veterans succeed

• Provides profile of today’s student Veteran

• Information about common adjustment experiences

• Information about military culture and common challenges

• Other online resources and trainings

http://www.mentalhealth.va.gov/studentveteran/

VA Resources


VA Resources

VA’s National Center for PTSD Website

• VA’s informational website for Veterans, their families, and

community and VA providers

• Information about PTSD, how it is assessed, and available

evidence-based treatments and resources

• Education for providers

• Information provided in English and Spanish

http://www.ptsd.va.gov


VA Resources

VA Community Provider Toolkit

• Online tool that provides resources and information to community

providers around how best to support Veterans in the community

• Veteran status screening questions

• CE courses about military culture and what it means to be a

Veteran

• Wellness tools

• Other Veteran resources

VA Resources

http://www.mentalhealth.va.gov/communityproviders/index.asp#sthash.5bmhHuwu.dpbs


VA Resources

MaketheConnection.Net

• Online resource that allows military members, Veterans, and their

loved ones to connect with information, resources, and solutions

affect their lives

• The site is customizable by gender, service era, branch of service, and

combat/non-combat status (completely anonymous)

• Allows the individual to hear stories from other military

members/veterans like them, view helpful topics relevant to their life,

receive recommendations and skills for addressing specific challenges,

and learn about resources available to them

• Includes resources for clinicians

VA Resources

www.MaketheConnection.Net


StartMovingForward.org

• Online tool that provides practical problem solving tools to veterans

• A “life coach”

• Provides problem solving tools around common concerns

• Relationships

• Stress

• Finding employment

• Dealing with serious illness

• Others

VA Resources

www.startmovingforward.org

VA Resources


GI Bill Comparison Tool

• Online tool that allows Veterans to compare VA-approved institutions

and review other information to choose the educational program that

is the “best fit” for the Veteran

• Step-by-step benefits calculations and side-by-side comparisons for

institutions/programs

VA Resources

http://department-of-veterans-affairs.github.io/gi-bill-comparison-tool/

VA Resources


VA GI Bill Feedback System

• Online form that allows student Veterans to submit concerns and

complaints to VBA if an institution is not abiding by the Principles of

Excellence

• Provide students with a personalized form covering the total cost of an education

program.

• Provide educational plans for all military and Veteran education beneficiaries.

• End fraudulent and aggressive recruiting techniques and misrepresentations.

• Accommodate Servicemembers and Reservists absent due to service requirements.

• Designate a point of contact to provide academic and financial advice.

• Ensure accreditation of all new programs prior to enrolling students.

• Align institutional refund policies with those under Title IV, which governs the

administration of federal student financial aid programs

VA Resources


VA GI Bill Feedback System

• Feedback categories

• Accreditation

• Recruiting and marketing practices

• Financial issues (e.g., Tuition/Fee charges)

• Student loans

• Post-graduation job opportunities

• Change in degree plan/requirements

• Quality of education

• Grade police

• Release of transcripts

• Refund issues

• Transfer of credits

• Others

VA Resources

VA Resources

http://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill/feedback.asp


VA Resource Links

• Mental Health Services Website: http://www.mentalhealth.va.gov/

• Veterans Crisis Line: http://www.veteranscrisisline.net/Default.aspx

• VITAL Campus Toolkit: http://www.mentalhealth.va.gov/studentveteran/

• National Center for PTSD: http://www.ptsd.va.gov/

• Make The Connection: http://maketheconnection.net/

• Virtual Problem Solving Techniques http://www.startmovingforward.org/

• VBA Vet Success On Campus:

http://vetsuccess.gov/vetsuccess_on_campus

• Department of Veterans Affairs’ GI Bill Website: http://www.gibill.va.gov/

• Yellow Ribbon Program:

http://www.gibill.va.gov/benefits/post_911_gibill/yellow_ribbon_progra

m.html

Webinar: Collaborating with the VA and SVA to Support Veterans on Campus

Engineering

Transcript of Webinar: Collaborating with the VA and SVA to Support Veterans on Campus